Good Italian-SFV

[SIMIHOUND]

Need rec for tonight for good homemade Italian food in the SFV. Prefer under $25.00 per person if possible.

Happy Holiday everyone.

[brandygirl]

Although I haven't been in a few years, I always enjoyed Emilio's Presto Trattoria in Encino. Also, I know they're chains, but in the west end of the valley I like Maggiano's in Woodland Hills and Romano's Macaroni Grill in Northridge. .

[chuck]

In Encino you can try Gio Cucina. It is a small place upstairs in the strip mall just west of the Land Rover dealer around the 15800 block of Ventura Blvd.
http://www.giocucinanapoletana.com/

[eatmuch]

Since you're looking for recs on the west end of the SFV, I'd suggest Topanga Pizza & Cafe at 22994 Ventura Blvd. It's quite good and reasonably priced.

[ebethsdad]

Caioti, in the village stretch of Tujunga, is more of a pizza place, but they have some good pasta dishes as well. No liquor license, but there is a good wine shop across the street (down from the maligned Vitello's). I, too, like Spumoni, and I can also give one thumb up to Mezzo-Mundo on Ventura.

[bodie]

I second Caioti.
It is one of the best dining values in the neighborhood and even though Ed LaDou is well known for his pizzas - I love his entrees even more than the 'za. My faves are the roast beef, chicken and the lobster ravioli. The salads are pretty fearsome too and way more than enough for one person.

[Diana]

The best thing about Caoti is "The Salad", which is reputed to make pregnant due women deliver right after eating it.

[justanotherpenguin]

Italian Kitchen on Reseda Blvd., a couple of blocks north of Ventura. within the price range and pretty good food.

[chowchi1]

Vitello's is nothing to write home about -- below average fare. Spumoni in Sherman Oaks is good. Maggianos in Woodland Hills has very good traditional Italian -- large portions at resonable prices. Rosti in Encino is also worth checking out. Not much else to write about on the west side of the valley.

[Diana]

Au Contraire. some of us like IlTiramisu and Gio-both far better than Rosti. There's also panzanella, though I've never been, and Barone's-all 4 beat Spumoni

[Das Ubergeek]

I can't agree, Diana -- I'd rather go to Spumoni than Il Tiramisu any day. Haven't been to Gio or Panzanella.

Maggiano's is just disgusting to me -- while the large portions at reasonable prices is right, the food itself is terribly oversalted. Also, traditional Italian it is definitely not -- it's a red-sauce Italian-American restaurant. Rosti (if that's the place next to the Barnes & Noble in Encino) was very expensive for what it is, a takeout place. You can get better takeout from Gelsons. Emme is right -- everything at Rosti tastes like they had an excess of rosemary after someone clipped the hedges outside.

[archer]

I too love Spumoni's, particularly given the OP's request--under $25. It is casual, delicious, inexpensive, homey Italian food. (By the way, it would be very difficult maybe not possible to eat @ Panzanella for under $25). For somewhat more expensive Italian (altho pastas would keep the meal under $25), I highly recommend Ca' Del Sol near Universal. Wonderful pastas, great chicken, excellent osso bucco, etc. Attractive patio.

[Jwsel]

I also recommend Spumoni. The food is excellent and the prices are great. It's one of the best values in the Valley.

[Emme]

this is after the fact anyway, but Rosti is horrible. when i went to the bowl to see south pacific, someone in the group brought food from there, and it was all dry, overseasoned w/ rosemary... blech. and not cheap enough to say, "well at least it wasn't a lot of money."

[Das Ubergeek]

Spumoni, on Ventura just west of Van Nuys. Get the gnocchi (any kind) and the fantastic calamari appetizer (not fried, it's simmered in red sauce and wine and is so good you'll lick the bowl).

[SIMIHOUND]

Thanks for the rec's... Anything on the west end of the SFV?

[Das Ubergeek]

Villa Piacere, though it's more about the romantic patio than the food. (The food's tasty enough, but not sublime.)

[Jwsel]

Do not go to Villa Piacere. I had one of the most disgraceful meals at Villa Piacere in June. I posted about the experience: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/414405

That was one of the worst meals I have ever had at an LA restaurant, and I was horribly embarrassed because I had recommended it.

[Das Ubergeek]

Hm... I was just there recently and I didn't have any problems. Perhaps your experience (or mine) was an exception?

[carter]

Boy, out west, Italian is more difficult than in the central and east Valley. Italian is one thing the Valley does not really get like the 323 or 310 area codes, regarding of pricepoints. Nice people run these places, but the food tastes all the same - ho hum
But if you want some delicious food in that price range, I had dinner at Gorikee in Woodland Hills on Tuesday night, and had some of the best food at without question some of the best prices you can ever possibly want. Truly a wonder. In the center with Jerry's Deli on Ventura Blvd, and is located in the far northerly corner behind Western Bagel. Byo corkage is very reasonable as well. Best seabass, as an example, at $21 I believe.
But it is not homemade Italian, but International with a slightly Japanese focus. Red sauce does not apply here, nor will it with Piacere, btw!

[CarlieInLA]

here is a post that may help you:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/429251

[Emme]

Oliva in Sherman Oaks

Love Il Tiramisu, but don't think you can get out cheap enough.

[Diana]

You can at Il Tiramisu, especially for lunch, but if you're careful at dinner, you can.

[jasonsha]

Vittelo's on Tujunga

[bodie]

Not!